1 And the children of Israel that lived in Judaea heard all that Holofernes the chief captain of Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians had done to the nations, and after what manner he had spoiled all their temples, and destroyed them utterly.
2 And they were exceedingly afraid before him, and were troubled for Jerusalem, and for the temple of the Lord their God:
3 because they were newly come up from the captivity, and all the people of Judaea were lately gathered together; and the vessels, and the altar, and the house, were sanctified after the profanation.
4 And they sent into every coast of Samaria, and to Konae, and to Beth-horon, and Belmaim, and Jericho, and to Choba, and Aesora, and to the valley of Salem;
5 and they possessed themselves beforehand of all the tops of the high mountains, and fortified the villages that were in them, and laid up victual for the provision of war: for their fields were newly reaped.